Lead poisioning sickens 25 kids in Shanghai

Updated: 2011-09-15 22:37

(Xinhua)

Zhao Jianyi, a 3-year-old who was diagnosed with high levels of lead in her blood, sits next to her grandfather at Kangqiao district near a Johnson Controls factory in Shanghai September 15, 2011. Zhao Jianyi registered 185 micro grams of lead per litre of blood, according to her doctors. [Photo/Agencies]

SHANGHAI - Two lead-emitting companies in Shanghai have suspended production after lead poisoning sickened 25 children, the municipal government's information office said Thursday.

Twenty-five children in Pudong Kangqiao Industrial Zone were diagnosed with excessive lead in their blood earlier in the month, the office said in a statement.

Out of the total, 12 have been hospitalized and the 13 others have received clinical treatment, it said.

Shanghai Johnson Controls International Battery Co. have been identified as the major lead emitter in the zone in a checkup following the lead poisoning and thus been ordered to suspend production, the statement said.

Another related enterprise, Shanghai Xinming Auto Accessories Co. have also suspended lead-emitting production activities following a government shutdown order, it added.

Zhao Jianyi, a 3-year-old who was diagnosed with high levels of lead in her blood, sits next to her grandfather at Kangqiao district near a Johnson Controls factory in Shanghai September 15, 2011. Zhao Jianyi registered 185 micro grams of lead per litre of blood, according to her doctors.